Guyana’s senior men’s football team the Golden Jaguars will tonight have a shot at redemption as they suit up to take on Antigua and Barbuda for the second time in three days, as part of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Golden Jaguars’ captain Samuel Cox, Head Coach Marcio Maximo and experienced player Neil Danns
Despite the disappointing 2-1 loss to Antigua and Barbuda at their home turf on Friday night, the Golden Jaguars are confident that they can even the scores with Antigua when the lights come up at the National Track and Field Facility tonight.
As a precursor to the must win game, the Jaguar’s Head Coach Marcio Maximo spoke extensively with the media about his expectations for today’s match and furthermore the remainder if the Nations League. He was keen to note that despite two losses from three games, he is still of the belief that the National Men’s team is performing well.
“Our performance was well in my view, in most of the games and also our reaction after sometimes conceding a goal too early,” the Head Coach mentioned.
The Coach went on to explain that while winning is a priority; giving local players some much needed exposure to the international stage is also of utmost importance. It is for that reason that six local players were used in the Golden Jaguars’ last game and Maximo went on to reveal that the same number of more local players may be used tonight.
“Somebody asked me before if you develop or you compete? I think that you do both, I don’t think that you can compete with teams without local players. For me that’s not really development,” he stated.
Echoing similar sentiments was long time Golden Jaguar Neil Danns, who admitted that the players are cognizant of the transition that the National outfit is going through and are comfortable with the level they’re at.
“I think at this moment in time, I think everyone can feel that Guyanese football is going through a transitional period and we’re all on board and are fully committed to this period. We realize that in order for everything that we achieved in the Gold Cup to filter down, it’s got to filter down to the local players,” Danns noted.
Ready to battle: Offense is key
With focus on tonight’s encounter, the Head Coach joked that he would not be able to reveal the team’s secrets so close to the crucial encounter, but was careful to mention that offensive plays will be imperative, if the Jaguars are to walk away with another three points.
Golden jaguars’ Head Coach Marcio Maximo
“Always you are offensive. Even against Jamaica we were offensive, we were offensive against Antigua but we will be more offensive tomorrow (today). We’ll play smart, offensive and tactical.”
Furthermore, Head Coach Maximo stated that the team will need to improve their accuracy, as they look for a victory, in order to jump back to second position in the Group.
“They are more clinical than us. Our opponents had few chances and they used their few chances. We had a lot of chance but we only score one goal. I hope that tomorrow we change the situation, win the game that is very important for us and move back to second position,” Maximo noted.
As he went on to emphasize the importance of today’s game, the Coach noted that it is not ideal to lose again, since they team does not want to rely on winning in Jamaica next month, in order to finish in the top two. Stressing on the need for a vociferous crowd support, the Coach encouraged Guyanese football fans to come out and play a part as the team’s figurative ‘twelfth man’.
“We need the support of Guyanese people and I hope that after tomorrow everybody can celebrate a good win for us. I want you to be our twelfth player tomorrow,” he said.
Kick off time is expected to be
